Next Generation Science Standards

NEW!! Integrating Practices Online Science and Math Modules

New online modules on integrating the Standards for Mathematical Practices and on the Next Generation Science Standards along with a Leadership Module and additional resources are currently available toall Rhode Island educatorsthroughRIDEmap. To access the modules, please log into RIDEmapand select the link to the Integrating Practices Online Modules on the right side of the page.If you do not have access to RIDEmap, please contact your district or enter a helpdesk ticket.

In step-two, managed by Achieve, Rhode Island and 26 other states led the development of the NGSS which are designed to actively engage students in scientific and engineering practices by applying crosscutting concepts to deepen their understanding of the core ideas in science.

The Rhode Island Department of Education is proud to have been a Lead State Partner in the development of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). These Next Generation Science Standards were developed through collaboration between states and other stakeholders in science, science education, higher education, and industry. Working as a Lead State, RI provided leadership and input to the writers of the NGSS as the standards moved through the development process.

Additional review and guidance was provided by advisory boards composed of nationally-recognized leaders in science, science education and business and industry. As part of the development process, the standards underwent multiple reviews from many stakeholders including two public drafts, allowing all who have a stake in science education an opportunity to inform the proposed content and organization of the standards. This process produced a set of rigorous, high quality K–12 Next Generation Science Standards ready for state adoption.

Lead State Resources

A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas is a webinar released by the National Research Council in July 2011, which identifies the key scientific ideas and practices all students should learn by the end of high school. The framework will serve as the foundation for new K-12 science education standards, which are currently being developed by a group of 26 states coordinated by the nonprofit group Achieve. The framework is also designed to be used by curriculum and assessment developers, teacher educators, and others in K-12 science education.

Viewing this archived webinar (originally airing on April 17th) would be an excellent preparatory step for educators and state team members in anticipation of review of the draft NGSS.

Presenters:

Thomas Keller, co-director of the project to develop the framework, and senior program officer, Board on Science Education, National Research Council

Heidi Schweingruber, co-director of the project to develop the framework, and deputy director, Board on Science Education, National Research Council

Next Generation Science Standards Liaisons

A major goal of RIDE's Next Generation Science Standards Implementation Plan is to foster awareness and understanding of the new state science standards to all educators and stakeholders within our state. To help support this goal RIDE and the Rhode Island Strategic Leadership Team for the NGSS (RISLT) have organized a cadre of volunteer educators to strengthen NGSS communication to all faculty and administration in our schools.

The NGSS Liaisons serve as a conduit between the RISLT and their colleagues in their schools. This networking of communication is a two-way process. NGSS-specific information, tools, and resources will be shared with NGSS Liaisons through the RISLT and questions and concerns at the school level can then be communicated directly to the RISLT through the NGSS Liaisons. The objective of the NGSS Liaisons is to ensure that all educators and administrators in our schools have access to information as well as a process to pose questions and share ideas about NGSS.

NGSS Liaisons will be provided access to training in the standards and tools to support the NGSS.

Qualifications and Expectations

NGSS Liaisons are RI educators who exemplify the following:

Seen as teacher leaders by their colleagues

Are full time educators who teach science at the PK-12 level. Administrators are also welcome!

Have a working understanding of the National Research Council’s Framework for K-12 Science Education and the NGSS

Are effective communicators of information

Expectations

share information sent from the RISLT with their colleagues at the school level. The NGSS Liaison may distribute this information to their colleagues in a variety of ways such as using email systems already in place within the schools, posting information on faculty bulletin boards, or sharing at faculty meetings.

facilitate communication between school faculty and administration to the RISLT.

Interested?

If you are interested in becoming a liaison or have any questions please contact Peter McLaren, Science and Technology Specialist, by email peter.mclaren@ride.ri.gov or phone at 222-8454.